Casting Rico Rodriguez: 10 Actors Who Could Play Him In The Just Cause Movie

Summary

• Manuel Soto is slated to direct a Just Cause movie adaptation with the potential for success.
• Actors like Diego Luna, Oscar Isaac, and Javier Bardem could bring fresh perspectives to the character of Rico Rodriguez.
• Adam Rodriguez’s experience in crime procedurals could help him bring depth and range to the action-packed role of Rico Rodriguez.

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You are watching: Casting Rico Rodriguez: 10 Actors Who Could Play Him In The Just Cause Movie

A Just Cause movie is finally in the works leading to questions about who could play Rico Rodriguez in the film. After years of attempting to adapt the video game, fans will finally see the story come to life. The Just Cause video game series from Square Enix and Avalanche Studios has garnered a sizable following and consists of four releases centering on the action-adventure protagonist, Rico Rodriguez. Initially released in 2006, Just Cause allows players to explore the open world and complete dangerous missions, making it the perfect addition to the golden age of video game adaptations.

Any actor tackling the role of Rico Rodriguez needs to be familiar with the game but also has the opportunity to create the character from scratch, as his convictions and personality remain a blank canvas.

Ángel Manuel Soto, who just helmed Blue Beetle, is slated to direct the Just Cause movie adaptation (via Screen Rant), and he has his work cut out for him following its underwhelming performance at the box office. However, Blue Beetle did receive positive critical reviews, which could predict a hopeful future for Just Cause. Any actor tackling the role of Rico Rodriguez needs to be familiar with the game but also has the opportunity to create the character from scratch, as his convictions and personality remain a blank canvas.

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10 Manuel Garcia-Rulfo

Known for The Lincoln Lawyer (2022–Present)

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In recent years, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo has received attention for playing the central role of Mickey Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer, a show based on Michael Connelly’s book series. Renewed for season 3, it won’t be long before audiences are witnessing Haller continue to solve cases and put his skills to the test while practicing law in the back of his car. However, prior to the series, Garcia-Rulfo has shown the kind of performances he’s capable of. While Haller might prefer to use his words to fight with, Garcia-Rulfo is no stranger to action.

When he wants to, Garcia-Rulfo can cut an imposing figure and handle himself in sticky situations, which is something Rico Rodriguez frequently needs to do.

He played Vasquez in the 2016 update of The Magnificent Seven and starred alongside Ryan Reynolds in the thriller 6 Underground. When he wants to, Garcia-Rulfo can cut an imposing figure and handle himself in sticky situations, which is something Rico Rodriguez frequently needs to do. Based on the Just Cause games, Rodriguez needs to be an older man who conveys his knowledge and authority, with physicality and emotional weight, Garcia-Rulfo can do both.

The Lincoln Lawyer
Drama

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Loosely based on novels by Michael Connelly, The Lincoln Lawyer follows recovering addict and criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller. Working out of the back of his Lincoln Navigator, Mickey takes on legal cases in Los Angeles.

Cast Manuel Garcia-Rulfo , Neve Campbell , Becki Newton , Angus Sampson , Christopher Gorham Release Date May 13, 2022 Seasons 1 Network Netflix Directors David E. Kelley

9 Antonio Banderas

Known for The Mask of Zorro (1998)

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Despite his many amazing movies, Antonio Banderas is an incredible actor with some box office bombs under his belt. However, these missteps are far outweighed by his amazing contributions to cinema. Banderas has been a star for a long time, taking on projects of all types and working with amazing directors and filmmakers. This makes him uniquely qualified to take on new challenges and work with creators from all niches of cinema. Additionally, because of his high-profile projects, from action movies like The Mask of Zorro to voice work in Puss in Boots, Banderas is known to many.

The Mask of Zorro is available to rent on Prime Video.

The biggest drawback of Banderas playing Rodriguez is that he’s on the older end of the spectrum, but Hollywood has made great strides in recent years in highlighting the work of performers as they gain experience. A project like Just Cause cannot solely rely on audience members familiar with the game and must cast actors who appeal to the widest variety of viewers possible. Banderas has the longevity and name recognition to get people in seats at the theaters, and the skills to do Rodriguez justice.

8 Laz Alonso

Known for The Boys (2019–Present)

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Alonso has spent too long playing supporting characters in high-profile projects when he should be cast as a leading man.

Laz Alonso might be hitting a career-high right now with his performance as Mother’s Milk on Prime Video’s The Boys, but for those who know his work, Alonso has always been a star. Though it was difficult to discern his features, Alonso was one of the Na’vi in the first Avatar. Taking on the labor-intensive role, motion capture, and intense choreography in Avatar means he can handle anything. Since then, he’s worked in various films and TV shows, including installments of the Fast and Furious franchise, all preparing him to helm a star vehicle of his own.

Alonso has spent too long playing supporting characters in high-profile projects when he should be cast as a leading man. Just Cause is the perfect opportunity to take all that he’s learned from his previous experience and distill it into a thrilling performance. Whether or not Just Cause utilizes more CGI and visual effects, or if they shoot on location with practical effects, Alonso will be able to adapt and give a fully developed depiction of his character. Additionally, as The Boys heads into season 4, Alonso might be looking for a change.

7 Gael García Bernal

Known for Old (2021)

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Gael García Bernal is well-known to many film buffs, as one of his earliest works, Y tu mamá también, was directed by Alfonso Cuarón and is considered a hallmark of the director and actor’s careers. Since then, his star has only risen, doing a stint on the TV series Mozart in the Jungle, and recently starring in M. Night Shyamalan’s horror-thriller Old. First and foremost, Bernal is an actor who can disappear into any role, but he’s rarely had the opportunity to flex his muscles in the action-adventure genre.

While Bernal isn’t the most physically imposing actor, this has never stopped stars like Tom Cruise from taking on action movies head-on and making them his own. Bernal needs a project like Just Cause to show audiences what the next phase of his career will look like. He’s played real people in the past, like René Saavedra in No and Saúl Armendáriz in Cassandro. A character like Rico Rodriguez might be fictional, but he holds a real place in the hearts and minds of the game players, allowing Bernal to bring their wildest dreams to life.

Old (2021)
PG-13
Drama
Mystery
Thriller

Old is a thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan, based on the graphic novel “Sandcastle” by Pierre Oscar Levy and Frederik Peeters. The film follows a group of tourists who find themselves trapped on a mysterious beach that rapidly accelerates their aging process, leading to a desperate race to escape before their time runs out.

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Director M. Night Shyamalan Release Date July 23, 2021 Cast Gael García Bernal , Vicky Krieps , Rufus Sewell , Alex Wolff , Thomasin McKenzie Runtime 108 minutes

6 Adam Rodriguez

Known for CSI: Miami (2002–2012)

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Thus far into his career, it’s almost impossible to imagine Adam Rodriguez in a role outside of a crime procedural. His biggest roles to date have been in CSI: Miami and Criminal Minds, outside his performance in the Magic Mike franchise. His role in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 will continue to make an impact on the next outing of the revamped show. Though procedural TV series don’t have the budget as blockbuster action movies, they’re an amazing training ground for actors to hone their skills.

This skill set is necessary to be an action star, as the character work can sometimes get lost in translation amidst the chase scenes and fight sequences.

Even within the genre, Rodriguez hasn’t been boxed into a particular kind of character and has shown tremendous range in shows that don’t spend the most time on character development. This skill set is necessary to be an action star, as the character work can sometimes get lost in translation amidst the chase scenes and fight sequences. Rodriguez can subtly communicate his thoughts and emotions while beating up the bad guys as he brings Rico Rodriguez to life.

CSI: Miami
Drama

CSI: Miami is a police procedural drama that aired for 10 seasons from 2002-2012 on CBS. The first spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, the series features a group of detectives working for the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigations. David Caruso, Emily Procter, and Adam Rodriguez star on the show.

Cast David Caruso , Emily Procter Release Date September 23, 2002 Seasons 10 Network CBS Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Paramount+ , Apple TV+

5 Oscar Isaac

Known for Moon Knight (2022)

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There are few actors who have been so capable of moving in and out of both independent films and major franchise work as Oscar Isaac has. Starring in Disney+’s Moon Knight, the latest Star Wars trilogy, and Dune: Part One, Isaac is a familiar face for anyone spending time at the movies. However, that hasn’t stopped him from engaging in plenty of arthouse work from his early role in the Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis to starring opposite Jessica Chastain in the miniseries Scene From A Marriage based on the film of the same name by Ingmar Bergmann.

The quiet empathy and contemplation he exudes in his dramatic work provide an excellent contrast to his explosive work in his blockbusters. As Rico Rodriguez, Isaac would provide the authority and self-confidence that drive so many of his performances. Many of the action roles Isaac has played exist in fictional and fantasy-driven worlds, so seeing him in a project that, while fictional, is more rooted in reality would be exciting for fans. Just Cause is similar enough to the real world that Isaac could transition into action star territory.

Moon Knight
Adventure
Drama
Action
Superhero

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Moon Knight stars Oscar Isaac as Steven Grant, a gift-shop employee in London who discovers he has dissociative identity disorder. He shares a body with Marc Spector and together, they travel to Egypt to uncover a deadly mystery surrounding the gods. Moon Knight consisted of six episodes and was the fifth live-action TV show in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4. Also starring in the series is Ethan Hawke as the villainous Arthur Harrow and May Calamawy as Layla El-Faouly.

Cast May Calamawy , F. Murray Abraham , Lucy Thackeray , Ethan Hawke , Oscar Isaac , Gaspard Ulliel Release Date March 30, 2022 Seasons 1 Network Disney Channel Franchise(s) Marvel Writers Danielle Iman , Jeremy Slater Directors Steven Grant Showrunner Jeremy Slater

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4 Colman Domingo

Known for Rustin (2023)

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With a rich history and connection to the theater and having written for the stage, Domingo brings these skills and expertise to every screen project he works on.

The biographical drama about the life of Civil Rights organizer and activist Bayard Rustin, Rustin, stars Colman Domingo as the titular character. It was one of the most compelling movies of 2023. It’s only the latest in the many amazing works that Domingo has elevated with his performances. With a rich history and connection to the theater and having written for the stage, Domingo brings these skills and expertise to every screen project he works on. Rustin highlighted his dramatic work, and his time on Fear the Walking Dead introduced him to a new genre and audience.

Younger audiences might recognize him from his guest appearances on HBO’s Euphoria, but if he was cast as Rico Rodriguez, he would be known for much more. If Domingo joined the cast, it would be wise to utilize his expertise behind the camera as well to make Rodriguez as well-rounded and representational of what audiences are interested in as possible. An action-adventure film would be a significant pivot from the movies Domingo has previously worked on, but it could be the shake-up he needs.

Rustin
PG-13
Biography
Drama

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Rustin is a biographical drama created for Netflix by director George C. Wolfe. Colman Domingo stars as Bayard Rustin, an activist who organized the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington but was forced out of the spotlight due to his sexual orientation. The film explores Rustin’s trials and tribulations as he fought for the rights of many while still battling against inequality and discrimination among people he considered peers and friends.

Director George C. Wolfe Release Date November 3, 2023 Cast Chris Rock , Glynn Turman , Aml Ameen , CCH Pounder , Michael Potts , Colman Domingo , Jeffrey Wright , Audra McDonald Runtime 106 Minutes

3 Diego Luna

Known for Andor (2022–Present)

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Diego Luna can be recognized most prominently for Andor, the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story prequel, playing the titular character, Cassian Andor. However, he can also boast about co-starring with Gael García Bernal in Y tu mamá también, as one of the young men coming of age in the film. The pair have collaborated a fair amount across their careers, and are frequently up for similar roles, but Luna has cemented himself in the adventure genre with his work in the Star Wars franchise.

As Rico Rodriguez, Luna would only become an even bigger actor, and increase interest in his past roles. Additionally, he and Bernal have been the producers behind many projects similar to Just Cause, and getting to step in front of the camera for the film could be an exciting opportunity. As he has also worked as a director, Luna understands the ins and outs of filmmaking, making him an ideal candidate to translate Just Cause to the big screen.

Andor
TV-14
Adventure
Drama
Action
Sci-Fi

Diego Luna stars as Cassian Andor in Andor, a Disney+ exclusive series set five years before Rogue One. The series follows the titular character as he transitions from a humble thief to a revolutionary icon of the rebellion against the empire. Cassian, a man who tries to keep himself out of confrontations post the destruction of his world, is shoved into the central conflict as he naturally slots into the role of leader. Andor will explore the rebellion’s burgeoning days and highlight pivotal events in the Star Wars Franchise before the construction of the Death Star. 

Cast Genevieve O’Reilly , Adria Arjona , Diego Luna , Kyle Soller , Alan Tudyk , Stellan Skarsgård , Denise Gough , Forrest Whittaker Release Date September 21, 2022 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Disney Plus Franchise(s) Star Wars Showrunner Tony Gilroy

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2 Javier Bardem

Known for Dune: Part Two (2024)

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However, before he joined the ranks of the Fremen, Bardem made a name for himself playing the chilling Anton Chigurh in No Country For Old Men.

Playing Stilgar in Dune and Dune: Part Two has shown a new side of Javier Bardem, and it turns out that epic stories of science fiction suit him well. However, before he joined the ranks of the Fremen, Bardem made a name for himself playing the chilling Anton Chigurh in No Country For Old Men. It’s impossible to forget his terrifying performance in the critically acclaimed film, as is his other antagonistic role in Skyfall opposite Daniel Craig. Due to these characters, Bardem has made a name playing quite a few villains.

Being known for villainy creates the perfect opportunity for juxtaposition if he were to take on playing the hero as Rico Rodriguez in Just Cause. He’s been a romantic lead, a religious fanatic, and a brutal killer, but a thrilling adventurer has not yet been added to the list. Recently, he played King Triton in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid, showing that he isn’t afraid to take risks and work with major studios. Just Cause would doubtlessly be a lot of fun to film and work on, giving Bardem a chance to show a new side of himself.

Dune: Part Two
PG-13
Sci-Fi
Thriller
Drama
Adventure

Dune: Part Two is the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 film that covers the novel’s events by Frank Herbert. The movie continues the quest of Paul Atreides on a journey of revenge against those who slew his family. With insight into the future, Atreides may be forced to choose between his one true love and the universe’s fate. 

Director Denis Villeneuve Release Date March 1, 2024 Cast Timothee Chalamet , Zendaya , Florence Pugh , Austin Butler , Rebecca Ferguson Runtime 165 Minutes Franchise(s) Dune Budget $122 Million

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1 Pedro Pascal

Known for The Last of Us (2023–Present)

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The Last of Us changed things for Pedro Pascal in more ways than one. Since its premiere, fans of the show and Pascal’s performance as Joel, have revisited some of his most iconic work including his brief stint on Game of Thrones and starring role in The Mandalorian. Being involved in many projects with iconic franchises, and having already helmed a video game adaptation, it’s easy to imagine Pascal as Rico Rodriguez. While his well-known characters could overshadow his work in Just Cause, Pascal easily assimilates to new roles.

It’s unclear if there are going to be further seasons of The Last of Us after the upcoming season 2, but for Pascal, this has only opened the door to the second act of his career. The past several years have seen him join a litany of casts in many genres, from serious dramas to goofy comedies. Being able to capture serious moments and having the physical capability to perform stunts is required for a role like Rico Rodriguez in Just Cause. However, it’s equally important to find moments of humor and levity in an action-packed script.

The Last Of Us
Drama
Horror
Adventure

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Based on the critically acclaimed video game The Last of Us developed by Naughty Dog, the story of the TV series takes place twenty years after a parasitic fungal infection wreaks havoc across the world that turns humans into zombie-like creatures. Joel (Pedro Pascal) agrees to smuggle a 14-year-old girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey) out of a quarantine zone, only to discover she may be the key to discovering a cure. The Last of Us TV series is a collaborative effort between one of the original creators, Neil Druckmann, and the creator of the award-winning HBO series Chernobyl.

Cast Pedro Pascal , Bella Ramsey , Gabriel Luna , Anna Torv , Merle Dandridge , Nick Offerman , Jeffrey Pierce Release Date January 15, 2023 Seasons 1 Network HBO Max Franchise(s) The Last of Us Directors Craig Mazin Showrunner Craig Mazin

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